Lions pull away from Red Devils in 4th for 41-33 win
Clinton senior LB A.Z. Simmons knocks down a Daniel pass Friday night during the Lions’ 41-33 victory over the Red Devils.
Visiting Daniel overcame a 10-point deficit in the fourth quarter to down Clinton 41-33 Friday night at Wilder Stadium.
The Lions, ranked No. 8 in Class 4A, outscored the Red Devils 24-0 in the fourth quarter before giving up a 20-yard touchdown pass from Clinton quarterback Owen Glenn to P.J. McGowan on the final play of the game.
Clinton (2-3)outgained Daniel 357-336 with 301 yards coming on the ground for the Red Devils.
Senior running back Javen Cook ran for 156 yards and three touchdowns, scoring on runs of 15, 63 and 1 yard.
After trailing 13-10 at halftime, Cook scored two of his touchdowns in the third quarter as the Red Devils took a 27-17 lead on his 1-yard plunch with 4:19 left in the third quarter.
Daniel quarterback Jace Grass completed 13 of 26 passes for 145 yards and two touchdowns – both to Lions’ leading receiver Trey Wimbley.
Wimbley also added a 34-yard punt return for a score with 4:51 left in the second quarter, handing the Lions a 17-13 lead that stood at halftime.
The special teams score came moments after a 97-yard touchdown run by Clinton’s Zy Butler was negated due to a holding penalty on the Red Devils well behind the play.
Clinton was penalized 10 times for 61 yards, and Daniel eight times for 85 yards with three of those penalties coming on the Red Devils’ final drive of the game, setting up Glenn’s touchdown pass to McGowan.
The Red Devils are to travel to Union County next Friday (Sept. 26) for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff.
